Preventing Suicide Takes a Public Health Approach

By: Debra Houry, Director, CDC’s National Center for Injury Prevention and Control and Paolo del Vecchio, MSW, Director of SAMHSA’s Center for Mental Health ServicesCross-posted from the HHS Blog

Summary:September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Each year there are more than 40,000 suicides in the US – an average of about 117 every day.

“Statistics are human beings with the tears wiped off.” CDC Director Tom Frieden reminded us of that Paul Brodeur quotation last year while talking to CDC workers about suicide – its devastation and its implications as a public-health issue.

September is National Suicide Prevention Month. Each year there are more than 40,000 suicides in the US – an average of about 117 every day. In addition to these deaths, every year some 1.1 million adults attempt suicide and about 470,000 people are treated in U.S. emergency departments for nonfatal, self-inflicted injuries. For every person who dies by suicide, more than 225 people seriously consider it. Rates of suicide have increased by 28 percent since 2000, and it is the tenth leading cause of death in the United States. And because these are the mere numbers behind the tears, they do not begin to tell the emotional and financial toll that suicide and suicidal behavior exacts on individuals, families, and communities.

But everyday lives are saved—by mental health therapists, primary care providers, counselors who answer Lifeline calls, and friends, colleagues, and loved ones who notice when someone they care about is in emotional pain.

The time to act is not just on one day, week, or month, the time to act is every day. To do this we’d like to suggest three simple strategies that we all should keep in mind as we interact with colleagues, friends, loved ones, youth, and older adults – and as we care for ourselves.

Erase the myths and misperceptions associated with mental illness and help-seeking.

Mental health services are critical for people showing signs of suicidal thoughts or behavior, but we must go beyond this to address the broader community, and societal issues contributing to suicide. Find out more about protective factors and the public health approach at CDC’s Division of Violence Prevention. Also, check out the National Strategy for Suicide Prevention to learn the role every American can play in protecting their friends, family members, and colleagues from suicide and get guidance on preventing suicide in schools, businesses, health systems, clinicians, and many other sectors.

Acknowledge that suicide IS preventable.

CDC data give unique insight into the problem of suicide, and these data help us devise, implement, and evaluate prevention strategies. We know what works to prevent suicide.

Let’s talk honestly about this difficult issue, use broad collaborative approaches to address the problem, and do all we can to learn more about how to prevent suicide. Help get the message out.

If you or someone you know needs help, contact the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline (1-800-273-TALK/8255). Last year the Lifeline connected 1.5 million callers with counselors in their local area. Through a network of more than 160 community crisis centers, the Lifeline also offers specialized support to veterans, Spanish speakers and online users.